Studying in Russia in English: what these programmes give you, and what they do not exempt you from
"Can I study in Russia without learning Russian?" It is one of the most frequent questions, and the honest answer comes in two parts: yes, English-taught programmes exist; no, that will not exempt you from learning Russian. Here is what these programmes actually involve.
What English-taught programmes are
Some Russian universities offer programmes taught entirely in English, mainly in medicine, engineering and digital fields. Lectures, materials and examinations are in English, with teaching staff trained for it.
These programmes are aimed primarily at international students and attract very cosmopolitan cohorts. That is a genuine asset if you are targeting a career outside Russia afterwards.
The three differences to know before choosing
They cost more.
That is the general rule: for the same field, an English-taught programme sits at the top of the tuition range, where a Russian-taught one sits nearer the bottom. Always ask for the exact rate of the English version; it cannot be deduced from the Russian one.
There are fewer of them.
Not every university offers them, and not every field either. If you have already settled on a university, first check that the field you want genuinely exists in English there, before building your plan on it.
They require a certified level of English.
Switching to English is not the easy option: following six years of medicine in a foreign language demands a solid level from the start. Find out what proof the university requires before submitting your application.
Why Russian remains essential, even on an English-taught programme
This is the point students discover too late, and it is decisive in medicine. Your classes will be in English, but your patients will speak Russian.
- Clinical placements take place in Russian hospitals, with Russian-speaking patients
- Administrative steps — migration registration, banking, halls of residence — are conducted in Russian
- Everyday life, from groceries to the doctor, happens in Russian
- Mixing with Russian students depends on the language: without it you stay inside an international bubble
This is why English-taught programmes almost always include Russian language classes. Do not treat them as a secondary subject: they determine whether you can genuinely benefit from your placements.
English or Russian: how to decide
The question is not "which language is easier" but "where do you want to practise".
- If you are targeting a career outside Russia and outside Russian-speaking countries, the English programme makes sense, provided you accept the extra cost
- If your budget is tight, the Russian-taught programme with a preparatory year costs less across the whole course
- If you are hesitating, note that the Russian-taught route remains the most common among Maghrebi students, and the best mapped out
Frequently asked questions
Can I really study medicine in Russia entirely in English?
Yes, some universities offer the medical programme in English. But clinical placements involve Russian-speaking patients: Russian classes remain built into the programme, and they are decisive for the practical side.
Does an English programme exempt me from the preparatory year?
Generally yes for the intensive Russian language part, since teaching is in English. In exchange, proof of English level is required and tuition is higher.
Is the degree the same in English and in Russian?
It is the same state degree awarded by the same university. Still, check the exact title and the accreditation of the programme with the institution before enrolling.